infantilize

especially British, in·fan·til·ise

[in-fuhn-tl-ahyz, -tahy-lahyz, in-fan-tl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

infantilized, infantilizing 

1. to keep in or reduce to an infantile state.

2. to treat or regard as infantile or immature.

Other Word Forms

• infantilization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantilize¹

1940–45; infantile + -ize, or by back formation from infantilization

Example Sentences

Some thought, especially in retrospect, that Ross immersed himself too deeply in micromanaging peace, that his approach tended to infantilize the region’s players and made them too dependent on outside powers.

Read more on Slate

The crucial insight of today’s Roberts court might be put this way: Imperious judicial decisions distort and infantilize the political sphere.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Burnett never insists that they’re the sane ones, nor does he infantilize Fish and Poinsettia’s afflictions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When was the last time you heard a major politician in America infantilize women like this?

Read more on Salon

While it’s easy to infantilize these furry, arboreal critters — a key reason why audiences’ hearts have been moved by them for decades — their cuteness should never eclipse their importance, as the Ewok tribe holds a pivotal role in the destruction of the Death Star.

Read more on Salon